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"I'm not keen on the idea of the afterlife - not without knowing who else will be there and what the entertainment will be. Personally I'd rather just take a rest." Oscar Berger, PWA: Looking AIDS in the Face, 1996. RIP.

When I wasn't running away from home, I lived in California most of my life, have seen Alcatraz from all sides and from a distance. However comma I have never actually been there and would enjoy the trip. Have the best dayMichael

Thom and I are seriously planning on the trip to "The Rock". We will most likely take to cable car to Pier 39 so I can save my walking energy for the tour. I always over do it and don't realize it until the damage is done. Living with PN is just one more aspect of AIDS, I guess.

when I went to SF in 2002, we went on the boat ride out in the bay to the Golden Gate....saw Alcatraz from that, it was close enough for me. The boat trip is wonderful...not sure how much it would cost now, I think maybe we paid $15 or $20 then...

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"Remember my sentimental friend that a heart is not judged by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others." - The Wizard of Oz

I recommend a trip to Alcatraz. It's a fascinating tour. You do it at your own pace with a headphone set. The narration is by former guards and prisoners, and the sound effects are very realistic (like slamming cell doors).

One thing people should consider, however, is that a trip to Alcatraz involves a lot of walking, including some that is uphill. It's a 130-foot climb from the ferry landing to the actual prison. The entire trip will probably take about 3 hours (including the ferry ride).

If you're planning to go Alcatraz you could adjust your participation in the Saturday morning walk--

a. Skip the walk and save your energy for Alcatraz.b. Just do the second part of the walk, from the Ferry Building to Pier 39. (This part of the walk is along the waterfront and is completely level.)c. Do the first part of the walk to the Ferry Building and then take the F-Line trolley to Pier 39.

If you want to go to Alcatraz, you should buy your tickets in advance online. They often sell out, especially on weekends.

I was walking down the Embarcadero a couple of weeks ago and noticed that the Alcatraz cruises were not departing from Pier 39/41.

A quick look at the website Jerry linked showed it was Pier 33 (I think the Red and White/ Blue and Gold Fleet people lost the National Park Service contract this year to Hornblower Cruises).

So you may want to check this out for sure. In any case, Pier 33 is not that far away from Pier 39, but for those who are used to having the Alcatraz tour ferries depart from Fisherman's Wharf proper...I'm thinking this isn't the case anymore.

The coldest part of the Alcatraz trip is the ferry ride to and from...very windy. I remember buying a cheap sweatshirt which was a lifesaver (and I almost never get cold!) Alcatraz is worth the extra effort if you have never been. I spent three very fascinating hours there last year.

This is so funny. I am on vacation in SF right now and was going to start a thread on Alcatraz when I return home and encourage everyone to go. Several years ago my mom visited SF and all she could talk about was the tour, I thought she was just a country bumpkin tourist. Well last night I realized I too am a country bumkin tourist because it is great!!!

Here are few pointers:

Take the night tour. It is a little more expensive, but includes a fantastic audio tour guide. Also they have several extras, a demonstration of opening and closing the doors, a tour of the hospital, a talk about some of the famous prisoners plus a talk about the tides and the moon and what those who escaped faced when swimming the bay. These are not part of the day tours. Plus you get a great view of the city leaving in daylight and returning to the night skyline. And experiencing the difference in the person from daylight to night is really neat. This sells out fast so make your reservations/purchase your ticket soon on line!!!

There is a major hill to climb. However, there is a tram that runs for those who are unable to make the climb. Once in the prison just flat walking and it will bring you back down the hill.

Don't worry about being the first in line to board the ferry. Read this in Fodder's guide to SF and it was correct. Got there with about 5 mins remaining to board and went straight on the boat. Once on you can easily find a seat on any of the three decks. Once the ride starts everyone walks around anyway to take pictures. Print your ticket on line and you don't have to worry about will call.

Not many locals take this tour, not sure why. Guess the same reason people in Louisville don't go to the Derby Museum or Slugger Museum. But Alcatraz should be a must see on anyone's list.

Woods (aka - a country bumpkin tourist)

« Last Edit: August 28, 2007, 04:03:34 AM by woodshere »

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"Let us give pubicity to HV/AIDS and not hide it..." "One of the things destroying people with AIDS is the stigma we attach to it." Nelson Mandela

"I'm not keen on the idea of the afterlife - not without knowing who else will be there and what the entertainment will be. Personally I'd rather just take a rest." Oscar Berger, PWA: Looking AIDS in the Face, 1996. RIP.

could anyone who knows san fran let us know if we went at 250 would we be able to get back to the hotel in time for social hour? and if not, would we be able to make it if we went on the 220 trip instead?thanks!

"I'm not keen on the idea of the afterlife - not without knowing who else will be there and what the entertainment will be. Personally I'd rather just take a rest." Oscar Berger, PWA: Looking AIDS in the Face, 1996. RIP.

Of course, this schedule will not meet everyone needs and other events may take place such as the visit to Muir Wood or the sailing trip with Sonomabeach. However, patronage to those establishments on the schedule would be most appreciated as discounts and comps have been negotiated and they are very much looking foward to hosting our group.

A program with the schedule above will be included in everyone's gift bag.

The walk is scheduled for 1030. 4 hours should be more than enough to get you to Pier 39 or whereever the Alacatraz tour departs from. I would schedule the 220P departure which gives you more than enough time to tour "The Rock" then come home and rest before cocktails.

I want to tag along, even though I have been there before. Alcatraz is really very interesting. Of course, now I am somewhat confused about what time the group wants to depart and whether this is associated with the morning walk. My situation is particularly unique because I don't arrive in SF until Sat. morning...probably getting to the hotel around noon. I do know that we need to purchase Alcatraz ahead of time because it sells out on the weekend. I guess I will keep checking the forum to see what we decide before buying my ticket.

Hard to believe, but we are now under two weeks! Looking greatly forward to seeing my friends from last year and making new ones!

what i thought would work easiest for us all is if we decide which tour to take and then we can all go onto the website and book our own tickets and any for others who are coming with us. i dont think there will be enough for us to qualify for any group discount, and also you have to pick a variety of dates - an option we dont have.

the plan appears to be:sat 1030 - anyone who wants can go on the walk led by allan, which i believe is planned to end around the area where the ferry to alcatraz leaves (pier 33 according to the website)sat lunchtime - lunch at end of walk somewhere yet to be decided, meet up with those who are coming to alcatraz who werent on the walksat afternoon - we go to alcatraz sat 630 - social hour

so lets go for 250 and at least that way we can be assured that we will have time for lunch and a rest between allan's walk and alcatraz (more walking). the tour is meant to take about 3 hours if you inc the ferry rides so we might be a bit late for the social hour, but im sure we can make up for it once we get there

"I'm not keen on the idea of the afterlife - not without knowing who else will be there and what the entertainment will be. Personally I'd rather just take a rest." Oscar Berger, PWA: Looking AIDS in the Face, 1996. RIP.

I asked my friend once if he had some cuff links I could borrow for a special event. I was running for Homecoming Queen in our neighborhood bar. He said YES!, went to his house and was presented handcuffs... I may still have them.

The Homecoming Queen won a paper tiara and a sash made with glitter (very low budget). I finish last but, our Michael (Sonomabeach) did win the BITCH category, hands down. My prize was condoms and personal lubricant, which were all used. Have the best dayMichael

"I'm not keen on the idea of the afterlife - not without knowing who else will be there and what the entertainment will be. Personally I'd rather just take a rest." Oscar Berger, PWA: Looking AIDS in the Face, 1996. RIP.

"I'm not keen on the idea of the afterlife - not without knowing who else will be there and what the entertainment will be. Personally I'd rather just take a rest." Oscar Berger, PWA: Looking AIDS in the Face, 1996. RIP.

I printed out the itinerary for 2 tickets for Saturday, 9/15 at 2:50 PM...I got an odd error message so I forwarded it to my work e-mail...My printout was 7 pages, would that be right or did I do something wrong ?

Jody

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"Wake up to find out that you are the eyes of the world". "Try to discover that you are the song that the morning brings."

Hey Jody when I ordered my tickets they sent me an email and I opened each one in the PDF file and printed them off from there it was only one page each. Just check your email there should be two ticket to be sent to the PDF file to be printed that way.

Ordered tickets for 2:50 on Sept 15, 2007 and have them in hand as I write this message. Have always wanted a "piece of the rock". Hope I can snatch a pebble without some studly ranger putting me in cuffs. Oh, maybe the cuffs might be worth the bother. See everyone soon, ciber hugs til then. Ric

Hi Milker...I bought 2 tickets in my regular order and you just go down to the part that says how many tickets and tab down to 2 for a total of $49.00...I then printed out (thanks Jerry) the 2 separate e-tickets...they both have my name but I will give one to my friend Joe...I don't think that should be a problem as I ordered both on my credit card. Does anyone think it will be an issue?

Jody

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"Wake up to find out that you are the eyes of the world". "Try to discover that you are the song that the morning brings."

Milker- I called the Alcatraz office and they said you can purchase as many tickets as you like for others as long as the tickets are in your name you must be there and present photo ID...The "Do you want to purchase tickets for others" link just means if you want to buy a gift for someone else and you won't be going you would click there...Hope that explains it.

Jody

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"Wake up to find out that you are the eyes of the world". "Try to discover that you are the song that the morning brings."